I finally started to feel a little better day 3 of my stay in Lhasa. Thank goodness. For a while there, I wasn't sure I would be allowed to continue on my trip because of the altitude sickness! But, luckily, they allowed me to continue. I did agree (and was already planning on skipping) to skip the trip to Nam-Tso Lake, a holy lake. Oh well! But it meant that I had to skip a 5 hour bus trip there, 1 hour stay to ooh and ahh the lake, then another 5 hour bus trip back to Lhasa. Gosh, I was pretty ok with not having to that trek!
So here are my favorite photos of Potala Palace, built by the 5th Dalai Lama. It was the chief residence of the Dalai Lamas until the 14th D.L. had to flee.
It was a nice place to visit but I had a real moment of tranquility and serenity at one point in the tour. I was ignoring all of the people around me as we entered the Oracle Room. I happened to have my eye drawn towards the window - opposite where everyone was focused on. The fabric window covering outside rustled with the wind and framed the most beautiful view of the mountain ranges. It was so lovely. But then, for some reason, I turned slowly to my left and there, sitting in the corner hidden in the dark was a monk - and he just gave me a small smile as if he knew exactly what I was feeling - and that we shared the little secret that the best part of the room was NOT the oracle, but the peaceful feeling that I got from looking out that little window. I looked back outside for a while before we were ushered into the next room. I gave my friendly knowing monk a smile and wave before I left. That moment was one of the best moments of my trip!
So here are my favorite photos of Potala Palace, built by the 5th Dalai Lama. It was the chief residence of the Dalai Lamas until the 14th D.L. had to flee.
It was a nice place to visit but I had a real moment of tranquility and serenity at one point in the tour. I was ignoring all of the people around me as we entered the Oracle Room. I happened to have my eye drawn towards the window - opposite where everyone was focused on. The fabric window covering outside rustled with the wind and framed the most beautiful view of the mountain ranges. It was so lovely. But then, for some reason, I turned slowly to my left and there, sitting in the corner hidden in the dark was a monk - and he just gave me a small smile as if he knew exactly what I was feeling - and that we shared the little secret that the best part of the room was NOT the oracle, but the peaceful feeling that I got from looking out that little window. I looked back outside for a while before we were ushered into the next room. I gave my friendly knowing monk a smile and wave before I left. That moment was one of the best moments of my trip!
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